RED SQUARE AND BEYOND

Red Square and Beyond

See for yourself why clients are calling their private trip to Russia “amazing”…

DAY 1:: ARRIVAL IN MOSCOW

Welcome to Russia – An unforgettable journey awaits you in this land of fascinating culture and rich history! This journey begins as you pull out of the airport with your English-speaking guide and private driver. Your guide will give you an introduction to Russia and Moscow on the drive to your hotel. If you are up for it, you may have time to do some exploring on your own this evening, to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Moscow. Regardless, have a great first night of sleep, and prepare for your trip of a lifetime!

DAY 2:: MOSCOW

Your first full day in Russia will not disappoint, as you experience the must-sees for anyone traveling to Russia: Red Square, the Kremlin, and of course the famous St. Basil’s cathedral and its onion domes. Standing in the middle of Red Square, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the weight of both history and modernity surrounding you: the Kremlin walls, Lenin’s Tomb, Gum Mall. You will have a guided tour inside the world-renowned Kremlin, seeing the Armory and its fascinating collection of national treasures. Finally your tour will take you to the New Maiden Convent and a view of the city from Sparrow Hills.

DAY 3:: MOSCOW

As you adjust to the hustle and bustle of Moscow life, today you’ll enjoy a meandering stroll through Moscow’s world famous Space Museum, where you will see the space race through Soviet eyes and much more. After lunch, your guide will tour you through Moscow’s world-famous metro system, which is a like museum in and of itself. You’ll cap off the day with a stroll down Arbat St., once the home to some of Russia’s most creative authors and artists, where you’re sure to find some of those must-have souvenirs to take home to friends and family. Tonight, you’ll board the overnight train that will take you to St. Petersburg.

DAY 4:: ST. PETERSBURG

You’ll kick off the day with a tour of the Hermitage Art Museum. You’ll enter 30 minutes before the doors officially open in order to see some of the best displays before the crowds spill in. This is the 2nd-largest art museum in the world behind only the Louvre. After lunch your guide will give you a tour of St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia. You’ll quickly notice why St. Petersburg is called the “Venice of the North.” The architecture and design of buildings feels very “European.” You’ll have a guided city tour visiting some of St. Petersburg’s iconic architecture: the Peter and Paul Fortress, Church on the Spilled Blood and St. Isaac’s Cathedral. You’ll have time to check out the St. Petersburg nightlight tonight, if you so choose.

DAY 5:: ST. PETERSBURG

After breakfast, you’ll continue your tour of beautiful St. Petersburg, by exploring one of Russia’s most famous palaces from Imperial times, the Petergof Palace. It really feels like going back in time as you wander through these incredible grounds. You’ll surely enjoy your lunches in St. Petersburg, as your guide helps you choose Russian favorites to satisfy your appetite: borscht (beet soup), plov (rice dish), oliviye (veggie/egg salad), and more. Next, experience St. Peters-burg from the perspective of its vast network of waterways on a canal boat tour. Along the route you’ll see many of St. Petersburg’s monuments from the imperial age. St. Pete is in the far north of Russia, so no matter what time of year you visit, be prepared for a cool (if not icy!) breeze to be sweeping in from the Baltic Sea!

DAY 6:: ARRIVAL IN NORTH CAUCASUS: MT. ELBRUS VALLEY

After flying into the Caucasus Mineral Waters airport (MRV), settle in for the scenic drive to Mt. Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. Your guide will brush you up on the history of the Balkar people along the way, among whom you will be spending the next few days. Once you have completed the breathtaking drive to Mt. Elbrus, check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore the area and take in the views around you. Don’t blink, because you will have risen 7,000 feet above sea level on this 3-hour drive without even noticing! Breathe in the fresh mountain air and relax under the clear, night sky.

DAY 7:: MT. ELBRUS

Today is dedicated to Mt. Elbrus, the gem of the North Caucasus. After breakfast, you will ascend up 3 levels of cable cars to 14,000 feet (3,800 meters), base camp for Elbrus’s aspiring mountaineers from all over the world. Even in the middle of the summer heat, you will want to dress warm, as it can snow at base camp in August. You won’t want to rush today, as you soak in the majestic views of the Caucasus range all around you. Perhaps your time on the mountain will inspire you to return one day to climb it? After lunch check out the local markets to pick up a local souvenir. Or explore one of Elbrus’ enchanting valleys with your guide by foot or by horseback. You’ll find the scenery breathtaking. Wrap up this memorable day at Elbrus with a local Balkar family in their home for dinner, trying their famous cheese-filled hichini dish and airan, a yogurt-like drink sure to fill you up.

DAY 8:: VLADIKAVKAZ, NORTH OSSETIA

This morning you will leave the beautiful Elbrus region and head deeper into the North Cauca-sus. As you reflect on all the spectacular beauty you saw at Mt. Elbrus, prepare yourself for even more surprises as you pull into Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia around lunchtime. Just 30 minutes from the border with Georgia, Vladikavkaz is one of the largest cities in the North Caucasus and is rich with culture/history, which you’ll be sure to “feel” as you tour this old city. Vladikavkaz’s diverse ethnic make-up will become clear quickly, as you pass different churches (Russian and Armenian) and mosques (Sunni and Shia) along the way. A filling dinner awaits, as you try the famous Ossetian pies, topped only by an after-dinner mini-performance of the national Caucasus dance, the Lezginka. You’ll even have the chance to learn a little of the Lezginka if you wish.

DAY 9:: NORTH OSSETIA

Hit the road again this morning with an excursion into Ossetia’s beautiful corner of the Cauca-sus Mountains. Today you will cover an array of Caucasus historical and cultural sites: an an-cient military fortress, a hidden-away monastery, the famous “Dargavs”, or City of the Dead burial grounds, and unique Ossetian religious beliefs. If the skies are clear, you may even glimpse Mt. Kazbegi in the distance, one of Georgia’s highest peaks. After dinner, feel free to take the night off, or enjoy Vladikavkaz’s night life scene in this far southern corner of Russia.

DAY 10:: INGUSHETIA MOUNTAINS

This morning’s drive may feel like you are going back in time, into a land that you didn’t know still existed today. Welcome to Ingushetia, the “Land of the Towers”. Up into the early 20th century, many Ingush families lived for centuries in their families’ complexes of towers, which dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Although uninhabited today, these tower complexes remain standing all over Ingushetia, turning an already beautiful land into something magical. You will rest well to-night after your ascent back into the mountains. You’ll stay in the scenic Armkhi ski resort ho-tel tonight, nestled in the mountains less than 10 miles from the border with Georgia.

DAY 11:: INGUSHETIA MOUNTAINS

If you enjoyed what you saw yesterday, today may be the highlight of your trip. We will spend the day exploring more of Ingushetia’s untamed mountain landscape, visiting ancient sites along the way. One of the most ancient churches in the Caucasus is located in Ingushetia, over 700 years old. For those with a camera and photographic eye, these two days in Ingushetia will be sure to capture your imagination as one of the world’s most beautiful hidden regions. By now, you are probably also starting to grasp the diverse cultural and linguistic richness that inhabits the tiny North Caucasus: Balkars, Ossetians, Ingush, Russians, and many more. In the afternoon you’ll make your way out of the mountains to the capital city of Ingusehtia, Magas, where you will spend the night. But, first, you’ll have a tour of the Magas Tower Concord, which is a small museum of Ingush history and culture made in the style of a 100 meter war tower. After dinner take a stroll along the central walking street where crowds gather to enjoy the warm summer evenings.

DAY 12:: GROZNY, CHECHNYA

Say goodbye to Ingushetia, as today you will enter yet another part of the North Caucasus, perhaps its most unique republic: Chechnya. The capital, Grozny, is very beautiful and safe, having been completely rebuilt after the wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, with more foreigners visiting every year. Chechens pride themselves on their hospitality towards guests, and so we are excited to introduce you to this land and people. Once you’ve arrived in the late morning, you’ll have a city tour and acquaint yourself with the local Chechen customs and traditions. You’ll spend time at Grozny’s “Heart of Chechnya” mosque, the largest mosque in all of Europe. Prepare to be amazed by the exquisite designs of the domes from within, as well as the reverence with which worshipers come and go. It truly is an architectural masterpiece.

DAY 13:: CHECHNYA

You’ll make your “final” Caucasus mountain excursion today into Chechnya’s Argun Gorge. The famous towers Ushkaloe Pakoch await you in the village ItumKali, an incredible sight, built in-to the side of a huge rock face. The drive is beautiful as you rise through Chechnya’s rolling hills into the towering cliffs of the gorge. Soak in your final encounters with ancient Caucasus towers and fortresses as you visit restored complexes in the villages of Kale and Pakoch. Tonight is your final evening in Grozny and who knows, maybe you’ll have a chance to practice your newfound Lezginka dance moves!

DAY 14:: DEPARTURE

Sadly, you’ll be saying goodbye to the North Caucasus and Russia today. We hope it’ll whet your appetite to come back again, to see more of all Russia has to offer! Fly out of the local Grozniy airport (GRV) and back to wherever you call home.

All Our Tours Include:

Private English-Speaking Guide

Premium Quality Hotels

Informative Cultural Tours

Breakfast

Red Square and Beyond Pricing:

Tour Level

2 People

3-4 People

5-6 People

Economic

$5,165

$4,435

$3,485

Classic / Mid-range

$5,785

$4,945

$3,995

Affordable Luxury

$6,295

$5,325

$4,355

* All prices are in US Dollars, per person.
For single rooms, a single supplement fee will be applied.
Contact us for larger group pricing.

Because we believe each North Caucasus tour is a trip of a lifetime, we create custom packages and pricing for each of our valued clients

Complete this short form now to receive your quote and get started planning your authentic experience with a Russia expert:

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Notice: "This will be YOUR private tour! You will NOT be joining a group tour. The price for a solo traveler is slightly less than paying for 2 people on the tour. You will cover all costs by yourself."